Tess Bell‘s journey to inspire kindness has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Australian mother of two from the Gold Coast has dedicated her life to spreading the message of compassion, empathy, and goodwill. While her ‘Sharing Kindness Advent Calendar’ has garnered well-deserved attention, it’s her personal story and her tireless efforts to ignite the flame of kindness that truly set her apart.
In a world often marked by division and self-interest, Tess has taken it upon herself to simplify the message of kindness and make it a daily habit for families. She believes that anyone can do anything they put their mind to, and her speaking engagements are a testament to this philosophy. Whether on television or through social media, Tess’s messages aim to inspire and empower parents and caregivers in their quest to raise kind and emotionally resilient children.
Her journey is deeply personal, marked by raw and open stories about her own battle with anxiety. She shares her experiences not to garner sympathy but to offer practical advice and encouragement to those facing similar challenges. Tess believes in the power of kindness, both for those who receive it and for those who practice it.
One pivotal moment in her journey stands out, a moment that reaffirmed her purpose. It was the first year in business when she was trying to validate the kindness advent calendar concept. Fueled by a desire to teach her children more about ‘being’ than ‘having,’ Tess created a digital version of the calendar. To her astonishment, 5,000 people downloaded it in just five days.
This response was a revelation. Tess realized that kindness was not just a concept but a way of life that families were craving. She saw the ripple effect her idea could have on the world. To share 1 million random acts of kindness, all she needed was to get 40,000 families around the world to join the movement. And this year, in 2023, she even exceeded this goal hugely, reaching over 45,000 families.
The moment that solidified her commitment occurred on day 17 of December 2019. The daily act of kindness was “donate a gift to someone.” Tess and her family had a little pram still in the box at home and decided to take it to Burleigh Heads Hill. The journey to the park was filled with challenges, from a stubborn puppy to hungry, bickering children. Tess found herself on the brink of giving up.
But she persevered. She mustered the courage to approach a group of parents and kids having a picnic by the beach. After explaining their mission and handing over the wrapped gift with the pram, Tess and her family hurried away, feeling a mix of silliness and embarrassment.
Then, at the end of the hill, an old lady approached them, her eyes puffy and red from crying. She shared a story that touched Tess deeply. The pram they had donated had made its way to a grandchild who had arrived in Australia the day before, fleeing a terribly abusive domestic violence situation with just one set of clothes and a bunny rabbit.
In that moment, Tess knew that she was on the right path. The universe was telling her to keep going, to continue her mission of spreading kindness and creating a massive impact on the world.
Tess Bell’s journey is an inspiration to us all. In a world that sometimes forgets the power of a kind word or gesture, she serves as a reminder that we can all be instruments of change, one act of kindness at a time.
Published By: Aize Perez
